Happy Easter from The Glass Walking-Stick

 

Breaking news: extraordinary photos from the surface of the Moon as the true purpose of the Artemis II mission is revealed.

#HappyEaster

2025 Catch-up: Whitby Abbey

Just before Christmas in that far-off time known as 2025 ( who can even remember that now? ), Sarah and I spent a few days in the beautiful surroundings of North Yorkshire, staying in the lovely coastal town of Whitby. It's somewhere we've meant to go for years and we're so glad we finally got there. It's a surprisingly bustling, busy little town ( even in the chilly days of Winter ), with a historic seafront, friendly locals, great fish 'n' chips and - of course - the world-famous abbey.

With its iconic, ruined vistas and connection to Bram Stoker's Dracula ( as "Carfax Abbey" ), Whitby Abbey was a must for us. And we could even see it out of our hotel window, as pictured above.

We were fortunate to get up to the abbey on a beautifully sunny, if bone-achingly cold, December morning and see it in all its glory.

It really is an incredible building, with so much history and myth surrounding it. Of course, so much of its mystique comes from its ruined status - thanks but no thanks to monastery-dissolving Henry VIII - and it's interesting to think how much of its imagistic power would be lost if it was still intact. Anyway, we were absolutely blown away by the majesty and spectacle of this incredible ruin, staring out to the North Sea from the windswept headland.

The English Heritage gift shop was, of course, full of Dracula merch, enough to ensnare even the most wary Goth in its shadowy embrace.

 As you pass through the gift shop and museum on your way to the abbey there are large, black capes hanging on pegs, for anyone who fancies cosplaying as the Count... guess which idiot had a go?

Lanzarote landscapes

It may be a gloomy, stormy New Year's Eve here in the Shire but my mind is still in Lanzarote, where we were only two weeks ago. This was our first ever trip abroad in the Winter time, a spur of the moment decision that turned out to be an amazing experience.

Here are a few photos of the incredible Timanfaya National Park, an almost lunar landscape of volcanoes and lava fields which was the most desolate and beautiful environment I've ever seen.

We got to walk down into a volcano - known as Fire Mountain, which was something we'd never done before, or really even thought of doing. It was staggeringly gorgeous.

And, talking of firsts, we also went on a camel ride into the mountains, which again was something we'd never done before.

And here are a few obligatory beach shots of the lovely Playa Flamingo, just five minutes from our hotel, the beautiful Timanfaya Palace...

Above is the stunning view from our hotel balcony: the Red Mountain, another volcanic wonder.

We only had four nights in Lanzarote but we'll definitely have to go back. Cheers!

Merry Christmas from The Glass Walking-Stick

 Wishing peace, love and light to all you gorgeous people out in the Blogoverse. Have an Incredible (Hulk) day!

Hoppy Easter from The Glass Walking-Stick

 

Manchester moments

Sarah and I had a great couple of days in Manchester recently while we were in that fair city for the Pulp gig ( more of that, of course, to come ) and I thought I'd share a few photos here. I'd never been to Manchester before ( in fact, I'm embarrassingly ignorant of the North of England ) and thought it was just the coolest place, easily living up to its cosmopolitan reputation. I loved the juxtaposition of old and new architecture, the canals, the bridges, the trams, and the unexpected sight of dozens of urban geese just hanging around, see below. We'll definitely have to go back when we get the chance.